The basic chemistry of water, along with a brief glimpse into water's origin on Earth, are discussed in this two page article. The article can be used as a "reading to be informed" activity in a stand-alone fashion or can be incorporated into a...(View More) lesson plan.(View Less)

This article explores the solar cycle and coronal mass ejections. It also links to a variety of related videos. SciJinks is a joint NASA/NOAA educational website targeting middle school-aged children and their educators. It explores weather and...(View More) Earth science through articles, videos, images, and games.(View Less)

This science news story highlights a Hubble Space Telescope observation of an unusual asteroid. Astronomers hypothesize that the spin rate of the asteroid increased to such an extent that materials were flung off its surface. Star Witness News is a...(View More) series of articles, written for students, that are inspired by Hubble Space Telescope press releases. Supplemental education materials include vocabulary, discussion questions and answers, and identifies relevant Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.(View Less)

The effects on Earth of solar wind, solar flares and coronal mass ejections are discussed and presented visually in a video and several photographs. The role of satellites in monitoring space weather is examined. SciJinks is a joint NASA/NOAA...(View More) educational website targeting middle school-aged children and their educators. It explores weather and Earth science through articles, videos, images, and games.(View Less)

The role of satellites in monitoring sun activity- and the impacts of that activity on Earth's weather- is examined in this short video. SciJinks is a joint NASA/NOAA educational website targeting middle school-aged children and their educators. It...(View More) explores weather and Earth science through articles, videos, images, and games.(View Less)

This article describes the work being done by scientists to determine the origin of water found in Earth's oceans. A supplemental exploration of the Herschel Space Observatory is included. The article is targeted to children ages 10-12.

This article explains the monthly variations in the Moon's appearance as seen from Earth. Directions for using Oreo cookies to illustrate the four major phases of the Moon are provided. The article is targeted to children ages 10-12.

This science news story highlights Comet ISON's travels through our region of the solar system. Star Witness News is a series of articles, written for students, that are inspired by Hubble Space Telescope press releases. Supplemental education...(View More) materials include vocabulary, discussion questions and answers, and identifies relevant English language arts standards.(View Less)

Learners will read about Mars and then examine an unknown sample (such as a sandwich or "fun size" chocolate bar) to determine if the sample could have come from Mars. The lesson uses the 5E instructional model and includes: TEKS Details (Texas...(View More) Standards alignment), Essential Question, Science Notebook, Vocabulary Definitions for Students, Vocabulary Definitions for Teachers, three Vocabulary Cards, and a Mini-Lesson. This is lesson 2 of the Mars Rover Celebration Unit, a six week long curriculum.(View Less)